Newspaper story gave hope to assistance recipient

Brisilla Torres, a Neediest Families Fund beneficiary, has improved her life and now helps others as a volunteer.

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By JONATHAN DARLING

southcoasttoday.com

By JONATHAN DARLING

Posted Dec. 22, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Dec 22, 2012 at 6:58 AM

By JONATHAN DARLING

Posted Dec. 22, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Dec 22, 2012 at 6:58 AM

EDITOR'S NOTE

The Neediest Families Fund aims to raise money for The Salvation Army to brighten the holidays for less-fortunate people across SouthCoast, but the fund also wants these recipients to get back on t...

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EDITOR'S NOTE

The Neediest Families Fund aims to raise money for The Salvation Army to brighten the holidays for less-fortunate people across SouthCoast, but the fund also wants these recipients to get back on their feet. Folks featured in Neediest Families Fund articles in previous years have generally reported that they're doing better — financially, emotionally and physically — since sharing their stories with The Standard-Times. This is the first in a two-part, weekend series catching up with families profiled in years past.

» Social News

NEW BEDFORD — A steady stream of people filed into The Salvation Army earlier this month to apply for holiday assistance. They were given numbers before finding a seat in the gymnasium to wait to interview with a volunteer who would take their application.

One of those volunteers was Brisilla Torres, who offered a smile and some comforting words to less-fortunate parents seeking a few toys and a hot meal on Christmas.

It was a 180-degree turn for Brisilla, who last year was not only a new volunteer but was also applying for help herself.

"Things are so much better for me and my son in a lot of ways," Torres said at The Salvation Army last week. "I'm very appreciative for The Salvation Army for the doors it opened and for all the support for me and my son."

Standard-Times readers were introduced to Brisilla and her then-7-year-old-son, Mizrahim, on Nov. 27, 2011. The experience of sharing her story with readers and the support she received from The Salvation Army put Brisilla on her way to getting back on her feet and providing a better life for her son.

"I was really happy," Brisilla said of having her story and pictures in the newspaper. "My family was a little embarrassed but I was happy because, no matter what you do in life, there's always a silver lining. I was happy to help The Salvation Army in any way I could and it just made me feel better talking about it."

Last year, Brisilla and her family were living in an attic without heat. Today, she resides in a first-floor apartment in the South End that includes all utilities. The apartment is nice and warm, and Mizrahim, who has hip problems, doesn't have to walk up flights of stairs to get home.

She has enrolled at Bristol Community College, where she will start classes in office administration in January.

"I feel like after office administration I'd like to go into human services so I can learn how to help people more," Brisilla said. "I think the experiences I've gone through can be a big help. I can share my struggles with others."

She continues to volunteer with The Salvation Army in an expanded role, doing everything from driving to office work throughout the year.

Maj. BethEllen Parkhurst said Brisilla was a valuable member of The Salvation Army team.

"She's willing to do whatever," Parkhurst said. "She's been helping out with the bell ringers and doing anything we ask her to do. She's very dependable."

Brisilla said she feels 100 times better — both mentally and physically — than last year. She also has a new focus on living a healthy lifestyle by eating more vegetables and losing weight.

Although she's feeling better, she isn't out of the woods yet.

Her husband left the family over the course of the last year.

"I had to choose between my son and his alcoholism," Brisilla said. "It's still a struggle but now I'm trying to do more on my own."

A major source of inspiration is Parkhurst, whom Brisilla can't say enough about.

"She's tremendous," Brisilla said. "There are some days that I know if she wasn't in my life I wouldn't even get out of bed. She's really a pillar in my life."

Standard-Times readers may also remember a front-page photo of a teary-eyed Brisilla on Christmas Eve last year. Someone read her story and donated boxes of Christmas presents for Mizrahim and food for Brisilla. She was extremely emotional when she found out.

"Seeing him just ripping presents open was such a blessing," Brisilla said of last Christmas. "It was such a surprise. I just remember crying. I thank God every night for that blessing."